Signs and Wonders

 There are many miracles recorded in the Bible. Many different stories of Jesus healing the sick, bringing the dead back to life, giving sight to the blind, and helping the lame to walk. The thing I find interesting is Jesus didn’t use the same method for each miracle. Why do you think that is?

There are probably many reasons.  But one that stands out to me is that Jesus knows what each individual needs and how to provide those needs. Is it just healing that is needed. Or is there more to it? I want to look at two particular stories. A Jewish nobleman in John 4 and Jairus, a Rabbi in Mark 5. 

The Jewish nobleman specifically sought out Jesus to heal his son who was suffering from an incurable disease. He wanted to believe in Jesus. The condition of believing in Jesus rested on Jesus healing his son. The nobleman had enough faith to believe that Jesus could heal his son.  Otherwise he wouldn’t have sought out Jesus. But Jesus called him on his faith. “Unless you see signs and wonders...” I’m sure those words struck a cord with this nobleman. Jesus knew what the man wanted, but more importantly, what the man needed. I’m sure the man felt a twinge of guilt. How right Jesus was. The nobleman did not need Jesus to come to his house to heal his son. He only needed Jesus to say the words. Jesus told the man, “Go thy way, thy son liveth.” 

The nobleman did not rush home. No, he took his time. Why? Because he believed the words of Jesus. He believed his son was healed. He left with peace and joy. And a true belief in Jesus. That’s what this man needed. 

Jairus on the other hand was a ruler of the synagogue, an elder, rabbi. As a rabbi, he wouldn’t have gone to Jesus first because of how the rulers thought of Jesus. Jairus was described as a haughty rabbi. The position he held within the church skewed his view of who Jesus was. His daughter was sick and on the brink of death. But he was aware of Jesus’ healing power. He knew his daughter could be healed by Jesus. He had received word that his daughter had died. There was no need to bother Jesus anymore. But Jesus continued on. But unlike the nobleman, he needed to witness the healing power. No, the resurrection power of Jesus. The paid mourners were asked to leave. Only the parents of the girl, Jesus, and three of his disciples went in the room with the girl. And Jesus brought her back to life. 

The faith of Jairus was ignited. There is a difference between knowing and believing. I imagine his life was changed like that of Nicodemus. 

Jesus reaches us where we are. He meets our needs. We also receive our desires.  But the needs are of upmost importance. 

It is still true today. Many people are growing their faith day by day. But not everyone’s faith grows the same way. We may not have healing power, but we have witnessing power. We can witness to others. And God knows who to send where and how to reach others. Some people may need the one on one friendship to know Jesus. Some may need an evangelistic series. Others need the door to door experience. There are those that need to witness a miracle to have the faith ignited. Some may need to reach rock bottom before they can accept Jesus. Our job is to try. That is why God created each of us with different talents. So we can reach different people. Don’t give up on someone if you don’t see the evidence of their faith. God knows what they need and He knows how to reach them. It may not be you who ignited their faith. And that’s okay. 

How about you? Are you more like the nobleman and just need to know that God will take care of your needs or like Jairus and need to witness Him working in your life? Whichever one you are, God knows how to meet your every need. This is possible only By God’s Amazing Grace.